Politicians arrive for funeral of peace process architect Lord David Trimble: Boris Johnson, Michael D Higgins and Micheal Martin are attending service for Nobel Peace Prize-winning NI First Minister who played key role in Good Friday agreement
- Trimble distinguished himself in an academic career before moving into politics
- He was elected as MP for Upper Bann following a by-election in 1990
- In 1995, he unexpectedly won the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party
- His final public appearance came in June at the unveiling of a portrait of him
Political leaders and other dignitaries have arrived to join family and friends of peace process architect David Trimble at his funeral service later.
The 77-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner died last week following an illness.
The peer and former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party played a key role in forging the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement that ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Months after the deal was signed, Lord Trimble, from Co Down, was jointly awarded the Nobel prize with late SDLP leader John Hume in recognition of their efforts to stop the bloodshed and establish a powersharing system of devolved governance in the region.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin are among those expected to attend the funeral at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn on Monday afternoon.
Political leaders in Northern Ireland are also expected to be present for the service.
Former Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has died at age 77, the party has revealed. Pictured with Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during an unveiling of his portrait by Colin Davidson at Queen’s Management School, Riddel Hall, in Belfast in June this year
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie attend the funeral of Northern Ireland’s former First Minister David Trimble
UUP’s Danny Kennedy, arrives for the funeral of former Northern Ireland first minister and UUP leader David Trimble
Alasdair McDonnell attends the funeral of Northern Ireland’s former First Minister David Trimble, one of the key peace brokers of the Good Friday Agreement
Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Alex Maskey, former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, and Barbara De Brun, arrives for the funeral
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson (left), and UUP leader Doug Beattie, arrives for the funeral
On Tuesday, the Stormont Assembly will reconvene for a special sitting to pay tribute to Lord Trimble.
The institutions are currently on ice, with the DUP blocking the creation of a powersharing administration in protest at Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol.
Last week books of condolence for the veteran politician were opened in several cities and towns across Northern Ireland.
Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady, arrives for the funeral earlier today
Northern Irish MLA Mike Nesbitt attends the funeral of Northern Ireland’s former First Minister David Trimble
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie attends the funeral of Northern Ireland’s former First Minister David Trimble
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson, arrives for the funeral of former Northern Ireland first minister and UUP leader David Trimble, who died last week aged 77
Paying tribute, the Prime Minister described Lord Trimble as a ‘giant of British and international politics’ while Mr Martin credited his ‘central contribution’ in efforts to achieve reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
Former UK and Irish prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, both of whom were involved in the intensive Good Friday negotiations, also hailed his peacebuilding legacy.
Sir Tony said his contribution was ‘immense, unforgettable and frankly irreplaceable’ while Mr Ahern described him as a ‘courageous’ leader.
Ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, a once bitter political adversary of the unionist, thanked him for helping to get the Good Friday Agreement over the line.
Lord Trimble is survived by his wife Lady Daphne Trimble and the couple’s four children.
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